Bark Out Loud: The Great Doggy Divide
Last week I thoroughly enjoyed flipping through this slide show of pet photos featured in the science section of The New York Times. The topic question posed was “A Family’s Best Friend?” and it featured a series of anecdotes about how a family pet has either come between or won over challenging family members. Smiling and laughing at each caption, I was reminded of when Miles fist came into my life and the rift it caused between my fiance and I. Not only was my fiance completely opposed to owning a small dog, he resented the time and attention baby Miles required. Not to mention my need to take Miles everywhere. But after time, Miles’ love, affection, and adorable underbite won him over. Now (as evident by the photo above), they are best buddies and we are one happy little family.
So now I’m dying to know: Did any of you have to overcome the great doggy divide with your family members? Or maybe you were the one that was won over? Either way, we’d love to hear your stories.
My husband did not want a dog. Period. It wasn’t going to happen. I told him we were getting this dog, it would be mine, and he wouldn’t have to deal with her. Addison did not like Russ for probably the first 6 months that we had her. He started acknowledging her and playing with her. She started to come around and now she waits for him at the door when it’s time for him to come home. She still favors me but they love each other now! He even admitted this week that Addison was one of our best purchases ever. Glad I’m not the only one who had issues introducing a dog into the family fold.
I’m still battling my family after 7 years of owning my pit bull mix. My dog has not shown any human or animal aggression, yet because of his breed mix he is not allowed to come to any family functions. It makes me steaming mad that the my nephew can hurt my dog (when the boy was 6 he hit and kicked my dog repeatedly) and my dog did not fight back, nor did he growl or do anything other than come sit beside me. Yet, my dog is still being ostracized.
I have been told by my family that if it had been any other dog breed they wouldn’t have a problem with my bringing him to family parties.
However, my dog has been known to help my various friends overcome both pit bull phobias and generalized dog phobias. An ex-boyfriend of mine turned into a huge pit bull supporter after living with my dog for a year. Prior to that he had a phobia about dogs after having been attacked as a teenager by two Rottweilers.
And a good friend of mine was very nervous around dogs prior to meeting us. Between my dog and I, we are teaching her about dog body language and what to look for when a dog approaches her. She is learning to relax around not just my dog, but dogs in general.
Meg, I’m so sorry you’re family is having difficulty accepting your pit bull mix. Spending time with a friends pit bull, I know first hand what incredibly wonderful dogs they are. That’s why I love organizations like Bad Rap: http://www.badrap.org/rescue/index.html that helps to educate the public on pit bulls. I hope you’re family comes around and starts to love your dog the way you do!
My boyfriend and I got back together a year after we broke up, and in that year, I had gotten a rescue dog, who was young and crazy (I grew up with a dog and have always been a dog lover, he had never had a pet of any kind). He was very unsure about him for about 2 weeks, and then they just bonded and the two of them just loved each other ever since. He tells my dog how much he loves him several times a day now and can’t imagine life without him!
aw. that’s adorable! Sometimes you just can’t fight a natural bond.
I cannot live without a dog. When I moved out on my own I had to get one. When I recused my beagle Freddy my mom strongly opposed. She didn’t believe I was ready for the commitment. I guess those big ears and eyes got to her, because now she is in love with him claiming he loves her more (not true). I live near by so I visit often. I might have to move to Brazil and she says even says now that she would happily take Freddy for me if I have to leave. Not happening anywhere I go my dog goes too!
I moved to Germany a few years back for a period of time and, of course, everyone in my family offered to take Miles. There was no way he wasn’t coming to Germany with me! Miles and I had a great time living in Berlin. Im sure the same will be true for you and your pup! Best of luck!
I had my dog years before I met my husband, so we came as a package pair! However I have never seen my dog be so calm and connect straight away with anyone (and she loves everyone she meets!) like she did with my now husband. He always jokes it helped him win me over!!